Located in the Western Ghats in Kerala’s Kollam district, Thenmala is India’s first planned eco-tourism destination.
Instead of letting tourism grow unchecked until it became a problem, the Kerala government set up the Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) from the start. The goal was simple, allow visitors in without wrecking the forests.
To keep foot traffic from overwhelming any single spot, the area is split into Culture, Leisure, and Adventure zones. You can do everything from mountain biking and guided forest hikes to wandering through sculpture gardens. Right next door, the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary keeps the conservation focus strong. They cap the size of trekking groups, strictly regulate boating, and run focused projects like deer rehab centers and butterfly gardens.
By generating local jobs and protecting regional biodiversity, Thenmala has racked up awards globally and domestically. Even twenty years later, it serves as the blueprint for how to build a destination right the first time.
Image Credit: Canva
